CARPINO FIGHTS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITY
HARTFORD – Legislation co-sponsored by State Representative Christie Carpino (Cromwell/Portland), aimed at providing more autonomy to the disabled community, has passed both legislative chambers unanimously and was signed into law on June 19th. Public Act 15-80 – AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE P.R.I. COMMITTEE CONCERNING THE FEDERAL ACHIEVING A BETTER LIFE EXPERIENCE ACT, or “ABLE” Act, creates a system in which a disabled individual, or one’s family, can finance the higher cost of living with a tax free savings account.
“All families in Connecticut will now have the opportunity to safeguard their children’s future,” said Rep. Carpino, who helped shepherd the bill through the legislative process as co-chair of the General Assembly’s Program Review and Investigations (PRI) Committee. “They will now be able to set aside money to plan for their loved ones and not jeopardize their future benefits. I’m proud that Connecticut will be in the forefront of states that are offering peace of mind to families of those with disabilities.”
In passing this legislation the State of Connecticut followed the Federal Government’s lead on this initiative, which passed its own broader version in December of 2014. The framework for a better life experience has been created, but now the state has the opportunity to implement it.
The new law states that in order for one to utilize such an account the expense must be categorized as a “qualified disability expense.” For instance, monies coming from this specific account would need to be allocated for travel, education, housing, and living assistance fees. Additionally, an individual is limited to just one of these tax free savings accounts.
In addition to the successful passage of the “ABLE” act, Public Act 15-209 – AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE P.R.I. COMMITTEE CONCERNING TRANSITIONAL SERVICES FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, was favorably reported out of the PRI Committee and passed both chambers with bi-partisan support. This law, which was signed July 2nd, requires the State Board of Education to draft a bill of rights for parents of children receiving special education services.
Parents and advocates, from both Cromwell and Portland, voiced their support for the bill of rights in order to guarantee that the rights of these students and their parents are protected when receiving special education and related services. Additionally, the school board, starting in sixth grade, must create a student success plan for the child.
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